Photography Basics Cameras Two common choices: 1. Compact 2. 35mm SLR.

Photography Basics

Cameras• Two common

choices:

• 1. Compact

• 2. 35mm SLR

Compact Camera• Easy to use

• easily transportable

• 35mm film

35mm SLR• Photographer

control

• Manual or Automatic features

• Accessories

Apertures• A hole in the lens

• Referred to as f/number.

• Smaller # = Larger aperture

• Depth of field

Depth of Field• Large depth of

field= whole scene is focused.

• Use Small apertures: f/16 or f/22

• Distance camera from subject

Depth of Field cont…• Minimal Depth of

Field= Sharp focus on one subject.

• Use large apertures: f/2.8 or f/4

• Position camera closer to subject.

Shutter Speed• Period of time

shutter stays open for light to reach film.

• Seconds or fractions of a second: 1/125 sec is average.

Fast Shutter Speeds• Capture a moving

subject

• 1/500-1/4000

Slow Shutter Speeds• Intentional blur

• 1/15-30 seconds

• Tripod highly recommended

Lighting• Time of day

• Direction

Time of Day• 4:00-7:00 a.m.=ideal

• Noon (Zenith)=not ideal

• After suns decent can be beautiful

Lighting Direction• Light behind

photographer=even but sometimes flat.

• Side-Lighting=great texture, shadows, etc.

• Back-lighting= silhouettes

Rule of Thirds• Compositional tool

• Imaginary 3x3 grid

• Visual balance

Rule of Thirds• Compositional tool

• Imaginary 3x3 grid

• Visual balance

Framing• Interesting

compositions

• Ideas: overhanging tree branches, archways, hole in a fence, etc.

A Few Ideas• Experiment with taking:

Portraits

Night shots

Texture

Still Life

Portraits

Night Shots

Texture

Still Life

Happy Shooting!

Click here to learn more about composing great photographs

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